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Haven't made anything in 2 weeks because I'm recovering from gallbladder surgery. The last 4 batches, using soapcalc, I used full water (mms gave me a range and I would split the difference). Had to wait 2-3 days before unmolding and at least a week before cutting. So, I'm thinking of reducing...

...Is spot on! Hazel, once I switched to 95% rubbing alcohol, it was back to business. I calculated the recipe to 1360.777 grams (3lbs). I'm using clay and food color for color, 1T apricot kernel oil, epsom salt, dendritic salt (I mix both fo & color into this before adding to baking soda and...

Followed a link to SCM's blog and ordered her e-book on lotion making. $29 and the money goes to help Canadian kids. Money well-spent IMO. So, being extremely right-brained which doesn't embrace chemistry, this book explains things so that even I can, for the most part, understand it. I'm...

I've done two soap swaps this past year and it was fantastic trying everyone's different soaps. Now I'd like to try a lotion swap to see what others are doing. Personally speaking, I'd like to limit it to lotions and not butters. Would a moderator please step-in right about here... ;-)

Been plugging in different ingredients to soapcalc to get the best soap qualities. (As an aside, I'm no longer using olive oil in anything. It's even more expensive given the recent info about who controls the industry and what other oils are used in it. I'm using mostly sunflower, almond or...

I have a few customers allergic to coconut oil, so I went to soapcalc and came up with this: 40% Crisco 50% Palm 10% Castor It gives me just a 1 on cleansing and a 10 in bubbly. I'll be adding sugar. What do y'all think? Thought I'd make a 1lb test recipe. Jenny

When I first started soaping, I liked floral scents and my soaps reflected that. I vowed to never make patchouli or lavender scented soap or anything musky. Now, I always have to have both patchouli eo and fo and lavender eo and fo in my stash. Also have to have vanilla, lemon, honey, orange...

Finally cleared the burnout cobwebs and spent a week cleaning and reorganizing my studio. The I spent a few days researching recipes for uncharted territory and running them through MMS. Made an order with Canwax and Saffire Blue. Got back in the studio last Monday. Made 7 batches of soap, all...

Has anyone had any experience with their fo's? They're located in Knoxville TN and I'll be very close this summer and could pick up my order. Also, their prices are excellent.

1. I'm wanting to use dendritic salt to anchor eo/fo's. Do I add an arbitrary amount or replace part of the sea salt or epson salt with dendritic? 2. Do I have to use witch hazel, which is difficult to get up here, or can I use rubbing alcohol? Thanks... Jenny

Been using MMS for quite a while and recently decided to switch to SOAPCALC to further refine my recipes. I've compared all my previous recipes and biggest difference is increase in liquid. I do have to plug my recipes into MMS first, though, to get right %'s for 5lb batch. Don't laugh, I'm...

1st: Sodium Lactate: ordered and waiting to arrive. Can't find a definitive amount to use per lb of soap. Do I add to lye or at trace. 2nd: Hot Process: We have a spare crockpot and I really need to master this process for when I'm running low and don't have time for a long cure. Tips would be...

I'm already thinking of my fragrance/essential oils orders for our stateside visit in June. Last year I ordered from Nature's Garden, Daystar & Indiana Candle. I want to try new suppliers this year. I've checked out Oregon Trail and like their selection. Any other suppliers, not already...

Had my last shows last weekend and I finally hit the wall, but not until the last hour of the 2nd day! Five weeks of traveling! Three 2-day shows and two 1-day shows. The 2-dayer's involved travel and spending one or two nights away from home. Luckily I had family at two of the shows, with whom...

A customer using my face moisturizer has asked if I can add sunscreen to it. My research tells me zinc oxide would be the best. Anyone had experience with this?

My reference to "big" means it's a 2-day show. This was a new one, so there's always the worry of "unknowns," but was well-planned and staff extremely helpful. Was in Kapuskasing ON in the French Cultural Centre. Needed a translator a few times, otherwise, my wee bit of French Canadian sufficed...

My reference to "big" means it's a 2-day show. This was a new one, so there's always the worry of "unknowns," but was well-planned and staff extremely helpful. Was in Kapuskasing ON in the French Cultural Centre. Needed a translator a few times, otherwise, my wee bit of French Canadian sufficed...

Just cut my 5 lb round patchouli lavender mint cp soap and it's all crumbly. Made on Monday; cut today. I've cut it up and put it in a big stockpot. Do not have a dedicated slow cooker. Can I do this on top of stove? Do I add water? Should I put in oven. Any help will be so very much...

Finally have my set-up to my liking. I'm using my antique pop crates, which start many a conversation. Bought a table skirt because it is required at some of my Christmas shows. The clips don't fit so I taped it on. Getting sticky velcro tape this week. New soap packaging with new labels. My...

Spent one day in Lexington KY, 6 days in Maryville TN, 2 days in New Carlisle Ohio. Noticed lots of soapmakers in KY & TN. Couldn't help but wonder if they were friendly or hateful to each other. Picked up eo's & fo's from various. I'd been dying to try Nature's Garden. Spent a god hour in...